The AC adapter has a separate CORD that can be plugged into the wall so that the power brick is NOT against the wall. No one else makes the adapters; Apple patents the connection. You can always use an extension cord too.

I thought the on-wall design is quite ingenuous, it rids you of having to carry an extra cord, but OK in real life, worn AC jacks don't hold it properly. No choice right, so do the next best thing, pull out a metal file and "roughen" the blades in the hope that the increase friction does the job.

As fraying goes, ur right, it can be better. Meanwhile clean the cord with a damp clothe like once a week to rid it of oil and airborne chemicals, at the same time u doing the same to your palm rests, keyboard etc.

Who at Apple thought it made sense to make a heavy AC adapter box that HANGS FROM THE WALL? It's like hanging a brick from a suction cup--it will inevitably fall off.

I've never had one fall off in almost 5 years of using them. As already stated, you have the option of using the extension that comes with it, so you don't have to plug the "brick" directly into the wall.

I wouldn't trust or recommend any non-Apple battery or adapter, due to the number of problems reported with "knockoffs". Apple has not licensed its MagSafe adapter technology to any 3rd parties. There is no assurance that knockoff batteries or adapters have the same charging technology that Apple uses, involving the battery, the MagSafe adapter and the Mac's logic board.

The link below should answer most, if not all, of your battery/charging questions. If you haven't already done so, I highly recommend you take the time to read it.

Wish Apple would just hire competent engineers to design their AC adapters

They have more than competent engineers and designers, and they're designed quite well. You just have some problems with specific sockets. If they were poorly designed, everyone would be having the problems that you are. They're not.

The issue with the separate cord that apple attaches is that it is stiff and inflexible, so it takes up a lot of space in a backpack.

Wish Apple would just hire competent engineers to design their AC adapters

Then buy a cheap flexible extension cord at any supermarket or hardware store. Believe it or not... you do not need the Apple cord... you can plug the assembly into any extension cord rather than the wall.

The ONLY time I've ever had problems with it staying in the wall is in older hotels... especially in the sockets that get used frequently.

Then buy a cheap flexible extension cord at any supermarket or hardware store. Believe it or not... you do not need the Apple cord... you can plug the assembly into any extension cord rather than the wall.

The ONLY time I've ever had problems with it staying in the wall is in older hotels... especially in the sockets that get used frequently.

/Jim

I have a house from the 1950s, and there are a few sockets that are old and worn, and power bricks, be they Apple or anything else, fall out. I haven't had time to replace the sockets though.

To the OP: It seems that so many devices uses power bricks that stick into the wall sockets. If the apple socket falls out, so would lots of other power bricks. I have a few that I use for charging other devices, and I simply keep them in a surge protected power strip.

I've only ever run into this problem in really old houses with worn out electrical outlets. All of the plugs in my house support the A/C adapter just fine. If I go anywhere and I have problems, I have the extension cord coiled up in my backpack.